Best Wi-Fi extenders of 2019: top devices for boosting your Wi-Fi network

If your Wi-Fi network isn't reaching every corner of your home or office, then our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders can help.

In this guide, we look at the top products that can boost your wireless signal throughout your home or office, and allow your devices to connect to the internet, no matter how far away they are from your router.

There's little more frustrating than having a Wi-Fi connection that slows down – or drops out altogether – and which leaves your devices without an internet connection, and the best Wi-Fi extenders can help combat this without having to spend a fortune, and without having to resort to routing network cables through your property.

 Wi-Fi extenders work by placing them in areas where the Wi-Fi network starts to break down. They connect to the original network, the extend the signal so that you have more wireless coverage.  

The best Wi-Fi extenders on this list are worth considering for anyone who lives or works in a large building, as you’ll find that your Wi-Fi network can get weak – or disappear entirely – in the furthest reaches of the building.

• For more ways to extend your Wi-Fi network, check out our list of the best wireless mesh routers as well. 

So, if you want to super-charge your Wi-Fi network, read on for our list of the best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy in 2018.

Over the last few years, Netgear has basically become a household name in the networking world. And, they’ve put their extensive expertise to fantastic use with their AC1200 Wi-Fi Range Extender EX6150. This fantastic extender is a simple device that you can inconspicuously plug right into any electrical outlet, and is our current choice for the best Wifi extender in 2018.

As an added bonus, the EX6150 features quick and simple installation, free of any hassling installation software. Just follow the easy-to-read instructions, and before you can even blink, you’ll have fast and reliable Wi-Fi covering the entire home or office. It’s just that easy.

D-Link's Wi-Fi Dual Band Range Extender (DAP-1520) is tiny and inconspicuous, meaning that while it has extremely robust performance boosting your Wi-Fi network throughout your home or office – it’s virtually invisible to anyone who isn’t explicitly looking for it.

The unassuming and straightforward design does come with some inherent issues, however: it doesn’t feature an Ethernet port for extending a wired connection. Also, contrary to some of the best Wi-Fi extenders, the antennae are internal, and while that does allow it to disappear into the background, it does mean range is somewhat reduced. Despite this, it is still one of the best WiFi extenders money can buy.

Sure, TP-Link is a Chinese networking company that has been slowly been gaining recognition in the west, and with good reason. With devices like the TP-Link RE350 AC1200 Wi-Fi Range extender, it’s easy to see their worth: it does the job well, and it’s cheap. It might not be the fastest Wi-Fi extender in the world, but with the range this extender offers at the price it’s available at it’s a steal. Plus, thanks to an LED signal indicator on the front, installation is simply a breeze. 

The Linksys RE6500 AC1200 is an yet another Wi-Fi extender that looks more like a router. The more sturdy design allows Linksys to include four gigabit Ethernet ports, which means that you are empowered to expand your network to internet-connected devices that need an ethernet connection.

It also has an audio output jack which allows you to connect it to speakers or an audio system, allowing you to stream digital music from your PC to your audio receiver. This is a pretty robust and flexible device, and one of the best WiFi extenders for the money.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to beef up your Wi-Fi network, and you’re ok with making a few concessions in performance and features, then the D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender is a great device for you. This tiny device doesn't include any Ethernet ports, and it doesn't feature dual bands or 802.11ac, presently the fastest form of Wi-Fi.

Still, it is designed well and built to last, and it's a quick, easy and cheap way of bolstering your Wi-Fi network as long as you’re not anticipating too much network traffic.

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the TP-Link RE350 

The Linksys Velop makes a sound argument for a wireless mesh network’s ease of setup. With the aim of replacing both your router and your now-antiquated range extender, the Velop arrives at a time when companies like Google and Netgear are doing the same thing. The main way Linksys hopes to differentiate its contender in the wireless mesh networking space is with a user-friendly setup that anyone with a smartphone can understand. With just a visit to the App Store or Google Play marketplace, you’ll have the Linksys Velop running in a matter of minutes. It's certainly a worthy addition to our list of the best WiFi extenders in 2018.

Read the full review: Linksys Velop

If you’re looking for a great way to upgrade your network to have great coverage no matter where you go in your house, a powerline adapter is a fantastic choice. Not only do they maintain the same functionality that the best Wi-Fi extenders can afford, but the TRENDnet Wi-Fi Everywhere Powerline might just be a dream come true. It may not be aesthetically pleasing, and the price tag may be a tad high, but this unit more than makes up for those issues with sheer performance. And, unlike other powerline adapters, the TRENDnet Wi-Fi Everywhere comes equipped with a clone button that will, well, clone the SSID and WPA key of your network so that it can double as a Wi-Fi extender. An expensive Wi-Fi extender. 

Read the full review: Trendnet Wi-Fi Everywhere powerline 1200 AV2 

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Linksys Velop